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* UPDATED x1 - Rauner campaign responds * David Duke tries to use Rauner quote to his own advantage

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* Background is here. As noted at that link, the governor’s campaign eventually said Rauner “believes that David Duke is a racist,” but Duke either didn’t get the memo or ignored it…

Former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke is thanking Bruce Rauner for not calling him a racist. Duke posted audio and the following image on his website:

Around the 19-minute mark, Duke says: “I think that’s what happened to the Governor of Illinois. Probably at some point, he’s heard about David Duke a million times, he’s in politics, he goes to DavidDuke.com, he’s read some of the things I say, and deep down in his soul, deep down something’s happened inside of him, and he knows that I’m not really a racist.”

“While Bruce Rauner doesn’t have too many people in his corner as of late, he just picked up a new supporter: Former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke,” said Pritzker campaign communications director Galia Slayen. “With one of the most avowed white supremacists by his side, perhaps Rauner would like to try out a different talking point on whether or not Duke is a racist.”

* I was actually listening to the Duke broadcast when the press release came through (a GOP buddy of mine sent me a link). Duke also said this…

But it’s very interesting that the governor wouldn’t do it. And I think in the course of discussions, in the course of a conversation, sometimes the truth is kinda blurted out, or the truth is stated sometimes in absentia because he wouldn’t call Trump a racist and he wouldn’t call me a racist specifically. The quotation is pretty amazing about what happened here. So he had a black guy interviewing him and a white guy interviewing him and said, ‘well is Trump or not racist? You won’t call Trump a racist? Will you call David Duke a racist?’ And he didn’t answer it. He answered in general terms: ‘Well, we have racism in this country.’

Governor, the next time Charles Thomas pitches you a softball, please, just swing at it.

…Adding… I stopped listening after just a few minutes, but someone else I know kept at it. Duke did address the campaign statement about him being a racist…

And of course the governor, after this happened, of course all of his probably Jewish advisors, they said quote ‘The governor believes that David Duke is a racist.’ He just didn’t say so in the interview because it wasn’t scripted then.

Ugh.

*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison…

Governor Rauner believes that David Duke is a racist and it’s shameful that Duke is blatantly making things up for his website. JB Pritzker should be ashamed that he is providing David Duke a platform by promoting his lies.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:14 pm

Comments

So does this mean David Duke is endorsing Bruce Rauner?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:22 pm
He’s not a dumb guy. He just plays one as Governor.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:23 pm
–He just didn’t say so in the interview because it wasn’t scripted then.–

True. Rauner can’t function without a script.

Comment by King Louis XVI Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:24 pm
Other campaigns are going to have to start paying the Governor for PR services.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:26 pm
Rauner is so off his game. He really doesn’t know which end is up. So he flails and things like this happen with increasing regularity.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:28 pm
(Insert Diana Rickert snark here)

To the Post,

Rauner not understanding that his actions (or inactions) will be taken in this incumbency run to the Nth degree, and by refusing to stand and be counted… this is what happens.

Now they’ll be chasing this around for a day or two, Duke will keep it alive, it’s what he does… will this have a louder message outside Illinois too?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:31 pm
That endorsement is a “good get” in this primary. I assumed Ives had it locked up, but now Rauner is making a serious play for the Illinois Trump voters.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:33 pm
Worst Republican Governor in the country.

Been said before and will be said again.

Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:35 pm
If Bruce can pick up the Alex Jones and Richard Spencer endorsements, he can get a real solid coalition goin’ into November. Maybe have Nigel Farage over for a cocktail party.

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:37 pm
#somuchwinning

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:41 pm
This is not what was meant when “Radical Candor” was a thing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:45 pm
===I’m black and I agree with David Duke on this part===

Congratulations. You’re a racist too.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:49 pm
Just when you thought the BTIA ™ couldn’t do any better…

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:54 pm
To the Update,

Again, it’s easier to say what David Duke is the first time, not have a press release try to clean up a softball question.

(Sigh)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:23 pm
If you have to ask your campaign staff whether you can say David Duke is a racist, and then have the staff do it for you, well, you’re probably not cut out for politics, and certainly not being the governor of Illinois.

Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:23 pm
Rauner is not only a horrible governor, he’s one of the worst politicians in our lifetime. Extra embarrassing Ives loses miserably to him.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:27 pm
You would think as a white male this question would have been in his wheel house?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:31 pm
When you refuse to answer an easy black or white, pardon the pun, question, don’t be surprised when the subject of the question answers it for you to your disadvantage.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:32 pm
Funny thing. I wasn’t aware that David Duke even KNEW the Speaker. #BlameMadigan

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:35 pm
Madigan, and the Wizards he controls.

Comment by McLincoln Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:36 pm
“JB Pritzker should be ashamed that he is providing David Duke a platform by promoting his lies.”

This part is actually good, except that, for anybody who wasn’t aware of what it’s talking about, you will encourage them to look it up, and then, oh yeah… Not good.

Comment by m Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:42 pm
==JB Pritzker should be ashamed that he is providing David Duke a platform by promoting his lies.==

Correction to blame Madigan is coming in 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . .

Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:43 pm
Oh, buddy, JB isn’t the one who gave David Duke a platform today.

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:53 pm
McLincoln — well played, sir, well played

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:55 pm
Next, an update on whether Trump is a racist.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 6:03 pm
“These things happen “ but only when Rauner is personally involved.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 6:18 pm
I bet this scratches David Dukes off of Rauner’s list for that Steelers gig.

Geez, it ain’t easy to step on your johnson with both feet. Rauner has mad skills.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 6:20 pm
Another race to the bottom. Goody.

Comment by Michael Westen Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 6:40 pm
In year one, Rauner ran the Illinois ship of state aground. Year two, he then set it on fire.

What he did or didn’t say about racist David Duke is the least of his campaign worries.

Comment by peon Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 9:48 pm
Rauner will move in and shower with David Duke for a week, to figure out what’s up and show he’s in charge, and always has been.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:35 am
==Governor Rauner believes that David Duke is a racist==

Then maybe he should have said that in the interview.

Don’t go attacking other people when your boss messed up.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 7:29 am
“the truth is stated sometimes in absentia”

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 8:28 am
JB provides a platform, Bruce does bellyflopping

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 9:17 am
Can he still use the ” as a white male” quote, team Rauner

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 9:21 am
Why do a interview on on a black radio station and not being capable to answer yes to the question “Is David Duke a rascist”? Is it possible to top this scenario of incompetency.

Comment by DeseDemDose Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 10:12 am
–Is it possible to top this scenario of incompetency.–

BTIA(TM) says, “hold our beers.”

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 10:15 am